A little time had passed, and Ken was back to his normal self. The sidelines were crowded with hunters, all gathered to celebrate the champions of each rank. Ken, now free of injuries, was clad in the kingdom's regalia. His attire, a perfect fit, was a statement of elegance and power. The tunic was a deep, solid black, complemented by a cape that bore the kingdom's colors: blue on the outside, with gold and red lining the inside.
Standing alongside the other champions on the podium, Ken received his medal and trophy. Additionally, each champion was granted the privilege to select an item of their respective rank from the kingdom's repository. The king, taking a moment longer with Ken, placed the medal around his neck and offered his congratulations, "Well done, Ken. You have proven yourself." Sir Leonard, who accompanied the king, nodded at Ken and handed him a letter, saying, "Please, when you find a moment, peruse the contents of this parchment." Ken acknowledged with a nod.
The announcer's voice marked the end of the ceremony, "Ladies and gentlemen, these are your champions. Please give them a round of applause. We will be arranging interviews with each of our champions and the runner-up. Thank you for attending, and we ask that you exit in an orderly manner."
As the kingdom's national anthem filled the air, Ken remained behind, waiting as the stadium emptied.
Blume's team approached Ken with warm congratulations, "Well done on becoming the champion."
Ken, taken aback, responded, "Oh, thank you. I trust you're all right now?"
Blume, matching Ken's innocent tone, replied, "Certainly, we've faced worse."
Eldric chimed in, "Indeed, we've endured more severe injuries."
Isolde, with a playful jab at Eldric, added, "Remember when I was bisected at the waist? Only survived thanks to this fool here." Laughter followed her remark, and Ken joined in. After a brief exchange, Blume, Eldric, and Isolde departed, with Ken waving goodbye.
All congratulated Ken, save for Danny's team, who seemed to be still recuperating from the awakening process. It was a rare occurrence for S-rank hunters to undergo multiple awakenings. Each subsequent awakening required time for the body to adapt and rewire.
----
Ken pondered Blake's whereabouts, likely with his brother. Seated at the edge of the podium, Ken gazed into the night sky until he sensed someone approaching. It was Blake, carrying drinks.
Handing a cup to Ken, Blake commended him, "Thanks, Ken. You truly excelled today."
Ken, sipping the refreshing drink, nodded in agreement.
"What's next?" Blake inquired, his gaze lifting to the stars now twinkling above.
"I was thinking of stopping by the betting booth to collect my winnings," Ken mused.
"No hurry?" Blake probed.
"I'll take care of it tomorrow. The tournament's rewards are more than enough for now," Ken replied, his eyes returning to the heavens. "Did you manage to check on your brother?"
With a satisfied smirk, Blake responded, "Yeah, he and his team are doing well."
Reflecting on the day's events, Ken admitted, "That battle was something else; it was challenging."
"Challenging?" Blake tilted his head, curious.
"Yes, it was both difficult and exhilarating. I was able to—" Ken's words were cut short as Blake swiftly created a zone of silence, ensuring their conversation remained private.
"Apologies, Ken. It's important to keep your secret safe," Blake whispered.
"Is it really necessary to hide it?" Ken questioned.
Blake nodded solemnly, "It is. You've demonstrated ample strength. Giving others even a glimmer of hope that you can be defeated is enough. Revealing your true capabilities could have dire political consequences for the kingdom. In essence, maintaining the illusion of a balanced power dynamic is crucial."
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Ken, feigning comprehension, agreed, "I suppose that makes sense."
He then checked his tablet, accessing his bank account. The balance displayed was an impressive fifty million dollars.
"Are you hungry? We can eat and then go back to hotel for the night later. Long day tomorrow." Ken proposed.
"Yeah, let's", Blake agreed.
----
The Brotherhood of James was more than just a brewery; it was a testament to the enduring spirit of camaraderie. As Ken and Blake settled into the ambiance of shared tales and laughter, the scent of hearty burgers and fries filled the air, a welcome change from the day's tension.
"You know, this place was founded by four friends, all named James. They turned their love for beer into this," Blake said, gesturing around the room filled with the warm glow of camaraderie.
"Really?" Ken replied, intrigued by the story. Ken wonder, What do I want to do, for hobbies and passions.
With their orders placed, Ken reflected on the battle that had earned him his place in the kingdom's annals. It hadn't been hard for him, not really. The fight was over almost as soon as it had begun, his control over time making him an unmatched force in the arena. Yet, he wore his victory with a quiet pride, knowing that true challenges lay ahead.
As they ate, Ken's thoughts were not on the battle but on the letter from Sir Leonard, heavy with potential and promise. The night was young, and the future was a tapestry waiting to be woven with the threads of his choices.
Hunters crowded in, their gear clinking with each step. They spoke of exploiting the dimensional rift, ensuring it didn't break and leak monsters into the cities while maintaining resources. It was rowdy, yet peaceful.
Ken observed, this part of town was a stark contrast to the dark burrow where he grew up similarly—a name classified by the wealthy. With his newfound wealth, Ken resolved to clean up place like dark burrow, to make them safer.
"Hey Ken, what do you think?" Blake's voice pulled him from his reverie.
"Hah, sorry, looks like I was distracted," Ken said apologetically.
"No worries, I was saying what do you think about hunting in the rift, clearing up rifts that are impossible to clear, even our nation's strongest are not able to handle it."
"Well - I wouldn't mind trying to delve those rifts, and farm them - but I am not sure if I can, meaning if I am even allowed."
"That's right, you are G-rank, what's going on with that?"
"Nothing, I stopped caring in that aspect. But winning this tournament should provide some avenue to bypass the ranking system set by Hunter Corp."
"Yeah, that's why you joined."
"Yeah, so we'll see if I can get a proper mean to go through to it with proper compensation. How much revenue does this kingdom generates?"
"I think last year, was roughly 20 trillion dollars. And the kingdom is relatively wealthy when it comes to the natural resources and rift portals for material generations. Why?"
"You know how I requested a billion dollar per year by the guild - if the kingdom wants me, or any kingdom wants me - they need to give me a guaranteed 15 percent of their revenue."
"Well, I don't know how to handle that!" Blake, tipsy, laughed at the demand.
Ken joined in the laughter; they enjoyed the rest of their food, eventually retiring to the night of rest at the hotel.
----
The hotel suite was silent except for the rhythmic breathing of Blake in his room, asleep. Ken sat by the window outside the living room, the moonlight casting a serene glow over the letter he held. It was a tangible connection to Sir Leonard, to the choices that lay ahead.
Hello Ken,
Please let me know if you would be available for lunch. I'd love to discuss the path forward between the kingdom and yourself. My contact information is here; you can message me anytime. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Sir Leonard Grest IV.
Ken's eyes lingered on the words 'path forward.' I hope I can find a path forward to do what I want to do.
Ken placed the letter down, a decision forming in his mind. He would meet with Sir Leonard, not just as Ken the champion, but as Ken the man who could bring change, who could heal not only himself but the very fabric of the kingdom.
As dawn approached, Ken felt a sense of peace. For the first time in a long while, he looked forward to the daylight and the promise of the future, feeling a newfound sense of control.
With clarity of purpose, Ken composed a message to Sir Leonard.
Hello Sir Leonard,
Thank you for reaching, please let me know the time and place for lunch. I can make time.
Looking forward,
Ken.
----
Sir Leonard, upon awakening, felt a surge of urgency. He promptly checked his messages and, finding Ken's reply, cleared his schedule for the day. With a sense of purpose, he composed his response:
Hello Ken,
Thank you for your prompt response. I am pleased to hear that you will be able to join me for lunch. Let us meet at The Glass Atrium tomorrow at noon. It is a place befitting a conversation of the magnitude we shall have. I believe you will find the setting to your liking, as it is known for its discretion and tranquility.
I look forward to our meeting and the opportunity to discuss the future.
Warm regards,
Sir Leonard Grest IV
---
As the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Ken received Sir Leonard's message. The promptness of the reply was a testament to the importance of their meeting.
"The Glass Atrium at Noon" he whispered, etching the details into his memory. The location was not chosen at random; it was a place where privacy was paramount, where significant decisions were made away from prying eyes.
Ken watched the sunrise, a symbol of new beginnings and the promise of control over his own destiny. The day ahead was a blank canvas, and the meeting with Sir Leonard was the first stroke of color on it.